A New Center Grove Education Foundation Scholarship

The Amy Dillman Black Memorial Scholarship

Writer  /  Johnette Cruz
Photographer  /  Ron Stiemert

Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 11.08.38 AMThe Center Grove community is coming together and rallying around each other to not only remember a delightful person but to “pay it forward” to others in education. Amy Dillman Black has been described as an absolutely beautiful woman. She was a kind, soft-spoken, patient and loving person who had a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.

Tragically, Black died last summer from complications related to an undiagnosed blood clot. Her family is survived by her husband, Dennis, and two sons, Ty and Drew. This was not the first time tragedy struck the Black family. Their first son, Riley, died during the birth process years ago.

“Amy often spoke on if her career as an NICU nurse helped prepare her for that loss or if that loss helped her be even more compassionate,” says her cousin Lyndsay Gilman. “She helped countless families cope with both tragedy and success when their babies were being treated.”

To honor Amy’s legacy, her family wanted to do something on her behalf, something that would make a difference in another person’s life. “Amy was so diligent in high school to secure various scholarships,” says Gilman, so that’s where this idea stems from.

The Center Grove Education Foundation is fitting since Amy graduated from Center Grove High School in 1999. Black was very active in her high school years, was touted as an outstanding student, former Debtone, cheerleader and student body president. This specific scholarship is for a CGHS student pursuing a degree in nursing. The goal of the scholarship is to have enough funds to award the first $1,000 this coming spring.

In addition to the new fund, the Dillman and Black families have also decided to put together a memorial 5K run/walk in honor of Amy with the proceeds going to the new scholarship. Black and Gilman had volunteered and participated together at various organizations in the past. Amy was also an avid runner and ran several races with her friends on a consistent basis, so this event was a natural fit.

Gilman says she wants the event to be a fun way to remember a life well-lived. “When my husband and I moved back to Indiana at the beginning of this year,” explains Gilman, “I started research on hosting a 5K and creating a nonprofit. I found information on existing community foundations and setting up memorial scholarships with those organizations. I figured this was a perfect way to honor her.”

The 5K coincides with Amy’s birth month, being held Saturday, November 14 at Freedom Park in Greenwood with festivities beginning at 9 a.m. Online registration is located at bit.ly/run_for_amy.

Since this is a privately funded scholarship, donors are also needed. If you would like to contribute to the legacy of Amy Dillman Black and the education of a future nursing student, please visit
weblink.DonorPerfect.com/AmyDillmanBlack.

Comments 2

  1. Amy Shadley says:

    Amy was a wonderful nurse, god fearing woman, super strong, so proud of her family and a huge source of compassion and strength for families going through the loss of a child or a child born with abnormalities. She left her mark on many hearts!

  2. Amir says:

    Thanks

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